Founding a Nation

Bibi Dong sat at the head of the table, her gaze sharp as she slowly swept across both sides of the long table.

Ling Yuan sat at the end of the elders' seat. As a newly appointed elder, she stood ramrod straight, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Her husband, Bibi Xi, was also exceptionally talented, rising from Soul Ancestor to Soul Douluo in just ten years, but ultimately fell short of the final step and failed to reach the threshold of Titled Douluo.

But just one step away lies the insurmountable chasm of the Elder Hall.

Qian Xunji broke the silence first. "In the month we were gone, the situation on the mainland changed dramatically."

Why would the Heaven Dou Empire and other forces suddenly join forces to openly isolate the Spirit Hall?

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan spoke first, her orchid-like fingers slightly raised, her tone tinged with resentment. "The two great empires and the Upper Three Sects are pressing us step by step."

"Through a covert investigation, we discovered that this was not a coincidence; someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes."

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow slightly and tapped the armrest lightly with her fingertips. "Who is it? Acting all mysterious."

"Let me handle this matter." Ling Yuan took a deep breath and stood up.

Qian Xunji looked at her and nodded, "Hmm, tell me, who is the mastermind behind this?"

"It's the Clear Sky Sect."

"Clear Sky Sect?" Everyone was shocked.

Ling Yuan nodded and said in a deep voice, "At that time, we received a recall order from the main hall, but the Suotuo City branch hall still had a batch of newly recruited Soul Master files that had not been handed over, so we stayed a few more days."

"Who knew that by the time we finished handing over our work and were preparing to set off the next day, the people from the Heaven Dou Empire had already arrived."

Who did the Heaven Dou Empire send?

"A fully armed Soul Master legion." A fierce glint flashed in Ling Yuan's eyes. "The two Titled Douluo leading the team personally sealed off the Holy Temple gates, giving us two choices: either walk out ourselves, or be carried out."

Bibi Dong's gaze turned icy, and a murderous aura emanated from her. "The Heaven Dou Empire has actually gotten involved with the Clear Sky Sect?"

"It wasn't just a matter of getting mixed up." Ling Yuan gritted her teeth. "There was a conflict at the time, and the Martial Soul of the two leaders were none other than the Clear Sky Hammer."

"While covering everyone's retreat, Xiao Xi was struck by one of the Clear Sky Hammer, suffering internal injuries and is still recovering."

Qian Xunji frowned. "Could it be those elders from the Clear Sky Sect?"

"Those elders of the Clear Sky Sect are not weak, especially the First Elder, who was already a powerful figure among the Titled Douluo many years ago."

Ling Yuan shook her head. "It shouldn't be. Those two looked quite young, no more than thirty years old, definitely not those old fogies."

At this moment, the Pufferfish Douluo Ci Xue up, his expression solemn. "Your Majesty, esteemed elders, I have a report to make."

"Okay, you go ahead."

"In the past two days, the Heaven Dou Empire has been frequently deploying troops to the border, and at the same time, under the pretext of 'cleansing up the remnants of the Spirit Hall,' it has been recruiting soldiers and expanding rapidly in multiple provinces, with its army advancing at an extremely fast pace."

"I think it's not just the military; they might be assembling an even larger force of Soul Master."

"If we allow them to expand like this, within three months, the Spirit Hall's sphere of influence outside will be compressed back to the area around Spirit City. I think we..."

Qian Xunji listened to Ci Xue's report, his gaze inadvertently drifted toward the back of the main hall.

In the shadow of the massive dragon-carved stone pillars behind the papal throne, two small figures sneaked in furtively.

Qian Renxue crouched low as she walked ahead, her movements as light as a cat's, tiptoeing around the first stone pillar.

Her younger cousin, Bi Xiaoxiao, followed behind her. The little girl tried to imitate her older cousin by hunching over, but her movements were noticeably clumsy.

After sneaking in, the two hid behind a stone pillar and observed for a while. Then, taking advantage of the moment when the guards turned around to change shifts, they quickly darted from behind the stone pillar to behind the low cabinet where the maids kept tea.

"Sister, is this really okay?" Bi Xiaoxiao asked in a whisper, crouching behind the low cabinet, her little face full of nervousness.

"What's there to be afraid of? If they won't let me in, I'll just sneak in." Qian Renxue said confidently.

"Shh—don't speak, just listen."

Qian Renxue put her index finger to her lips, then cautiously peeked out from the edge of the low cabinet with half an eye, curiously looking towards the long table.

Qian Xunji took in her daughter's subtle movements, a slight smile curving her lips.

He subtly looked away, pretending he hadn't seen anything.

Just then, a slight tickling sensation came from under the table; it was Bibi Dong gently scratching his palm.

Qian Xunji glanced at his wife, only to see that she was still sitting upright, looking straight ahead, her expression impeccably serious, as if the mischievous little action just now was not her doing at all.

She must have seen those two troublemakers too.

After Ci Xue finished his report, the deep voice of the Second Worship Golden Crocodile Douluo, rang out in the council hall.

"This matter was most likely supported behind the scenes by the Clear Sky Sect."

"After we defeated them, we'll team up with the Heaven Dou Empire to turn the tide."

"Now that you're expanding again, how do you two plan to handle this?"

Bibi Dong's eyes sharpened, and she said coldly, "Of course we can't sit idly by and wait to die. We absolutely cannot swallow this loss. Since they want to expand, we must expand too."

Qian Xunji nodded. "I agree with the Pope's idea."

"However, besides expansion, there is something even more important."

"What's up?"

That is—establishing a nation.

"By openly ordering the closure of the Spirit Temple within its borders, the Heaven Dou Empire has already relinquished its recognition of the Spirit Hall's transcendent status on the continent."

"Now that we've already torn off all pretenses, there's no need for further compromise. From this day forward, Spirit City will no longer stand as a 'palace,' but will reign supreme as a 'nation.'"

"A nation? Spirit Hall Empire?" Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at him with profound eyes. "Your father also had this thought back then, but he was concerned about the centuries-old imperial lineage of the continent and never made up his mind."

Qian Xunji shook his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "No, not the Spirit Hall Empire."

"I think it's time to turn the page on the era of empires."

"The old trick of dividing territory and establishing separate territories between Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire has been going on for thousands of years. It's utterly rotten and needs a new name."

A hint of curiosity flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. "Then what should it be called?"

"I think it should be called the Martial Soul Federation."

"The Martial Soul Federation? What's the difference between it and the Empire?" The elders looked at each other, completely bewildered.

Qian Xunji stood up, walked to the map, and said passionately, "The Federation will not be bound by the hereditary system of noble bloodlines, but will be jointly governed by the Federation and local governments. Moreover, the Federation must release the constitution!"

"Whether you are an ordinary citizen, Soul Master, or someone in another profession, everyone is equal before the law."

"We need to establish Ministry of Justice and set up Judicial Headquarters to uphold fairness."

"What about the emperor?" Ghost Leopard Douluo couldn't help but ask.

"The emperor's title should be changed to that of head of state, decided jointly by the emperor's own strength and the people's vote."

"Distribute land to the people, and distribute wealth and resources as evenly as possible, so that everyone who has shed blood for the Federation can be rewarded."

These words shocked everyone present.